Sometimes a good lie trumps the truth if it’s told well, and actor Ryan Andrews is spinning some whoppers in “The Liar” at Scripps Ranch Theatre.

In his charismatic, high-wire lead performance, Andrews helms a solid, well-directed and very funny production of the 2010 David Ives comedy, which opened Saturday on the campus of Alliant University.

“The Liar” is a modern update of Pierre Corneille’s 1644 French comedy “Le Menteur,” written entirely in rhyming couplets. North Coast Repertory Theatre just closed a similar Ives verse play, “School for Lies,” based on Moliere’s “The Misanthrope.” While “School” was an eye-popping, high-camp, period-costumed farce, “The Liar” is more contemporary, minimalist and character-driven. They’re like a matched set, but for my taste, “The Liar” is more engaging and consistently entertaining throughout its fast-moving 2-1/2 hours.

Set in 1643 Paris, the play follows the romantic exploits of Dorante, a swashbuckling bachelor who is incapable of telling the truth. With his servant Cliton (who can’t tell a lie) by his side, Dorante falls for the noblewoman Clarice, who is already engaged to the foot-dragging Alcippe. Thanks to the comic confusion common in 17th century plays, Dorante mistakenly romances Clarice’s cousin, Lucrece, and Cliton gets mixed up in his attraction to Lucrece’s flirty servant Isabelle and her stern identical twin, Sabine.

The plot is silly and thin, but director Robert May fills the stage with eye-catching, well-rehearsed comic bits including a faux swordfight, flying crullers and audience interaction. And, as he did in “School for Lies,” Ives amuses with wildly improbable rhymes (spectrum/rectum, kiss/dentifrice, sexy/apoplexy) with some jarringly modern curse words tossed in for anachronistic fun.

The eight-member cast works together like a well-oiled machine with the confident, in-the-moment Andrews at the gears.

As the clownish servant Cliton, Steve Smith has good improvisational skills and chemistry with Andrews. Rhianna Basore has a sweet, brainy intensity as Lucrece, Taliesen Rose is elegant as Clarice, and Denae Steele shows versatility as twins Isabelle and Sabine. Tim West brightens his every scene as Dorante’s foolish, foppish father Geronte.

The modern-dress costumes by Jacinda Johnston-Fischer all clearly indicate the characters’ social status, except for Philiste’s strange pink spats and cheap-looking coat. Andy Scrimger’s simple scenic design is functional and attractive and never gets in the actors’ way. Michael Barahura’s leafy lighting design is also a nice touch.

If you liked “School for Lies,” you’ll love “The Liar.” Together, they show Ives at the height of his lyrical powers.